Who is calling spade a spade ? Why the 'contradictions' ?
"Free Movement Regime turns counter productive and was misused"
New Delhi
Before jumping into any conclusion, it is worthwhile to reflect on separate statements and communiques coming from different organisations.
This will sum up the story and perhaps make it much simpler to analyse on how New Delhi conducts itself especially in the broad contexts of strategic importance and national security and safety of the citizens and properties.
"The geo strategic locations of the three districts is such that it serves a safe corridor for all the insurgent groups from Assam, Nagaland and other northeast India to infiltrate and exfiltrate to and from Myanmar," runs a letter to Home Minister Amit Shah from the Tirap, Changlang and Longding People's Forum from Arunachal Pradesh.
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| Milestone at border Longwa, Nagaland |
The Tirap region in Arunachal Pradesh is essentially inhabited by Nagas and hence the statement from the apex Naga Hoho on these issues must be worth examining.
The Hoho lately reaffirmed its opposition to the removal of the Free Movement Regiment (FMR) along the India-Myanmar border.
The Hoho Assembly on July 25 re-affirmed the Naga Hoho Press Statement Dated 14th January 2024 wherein, the apex body had opposed the removal of the Free Movement Regiment in the Indo-Myanmar Borderland.
The Hoho re-iterated that any endeavor to abolish the Free Naga Regime is "antithetical to the interests of the Nagas", obstructing the historical and cultural ties that transcend man-made national and international borders.
In contrast, the organisation from the Naga inhabited areas of Arunachal Pradesh says - ""The Free Movement Regime which was introduced to maintain the age-old ties of the hill people on both sides of the international boundary has been counter productive for the country".
It also states the obvious that of course goes on to strengthen the Govt of India's argument that the "FMR has been largely misused and it has instead helped in aiding and abetting insurgency all along the Indo-Myanmar border".
The Tirap region body also states that the border fencing along the porous Indo-Myanmar borderwill not be an easy task to execute given the tough terrain and the inaccessible forest but it is "definitely not impossible".
According to an announcement made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the central government will establish a fence along India's 1624 km that runs through Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
The plan “to fence the India-Myanmar border” and “reconsider the Free Movement Regime (FMR)” was made public by Shah on Jan. 20 in Guwahati.
While chief ministers of two provinces Nagaland- Neiphiu Rio and Mizoram - Laldudoma are opposing fencing, two BJP chief Ministers N Biren Singh of Manipur and Pema Khandu of Arunachal Pradesh are keenly supporting the fencing. In fact, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh is said to have proposed the move for fencing which the union government in Delhi readily agreed.
Around 6,000 refugees from Myanmar have taken shelter in Manipur state, authorities confirmed in December 2023.
At the height of the ethnic violence in Manipur last year, Shah had blamed the influx of Kukis from Myanmar. This was creating “insecurity among the Meiteis,” the Home Minister told parliament on Aug 9, 2023.
New Delhi is perhaps concerned that the problem might just grow bigger.
The Hoho statement also coincides at a time when there has been a major development within a potent Naga armed group. If the division or differences really turn serious - many things could unfold soon.
In the meantime, the suggestions from the Tirap-based organisation have sought to open avenues for the Government to explore its new strategies.
"The Govt of India policy of an 'Iron Fist with a velvet glove' has its own advantages and disadvantages.....
The Govt of India may consider creation of a counter insurgency operation command with the involvement of all the agencies and if possible the government may also consider overt or covert support of the groups and organisations that are favourable for the country for the real time intelligence", says the letter to the Home Minister dated July 25th, 2024.
International issues and border management fall under the responsibilities of the union government. Mizoram's Champhai district adjoining Myanmar witnessed the most with about 2,500 intruders from Haimual and Khawmawi in the Chin region taking place in February 2022.
Altogether, more than 31,000 people from Myanmar, mostly from the Chin state, have taken refuge in Mizoram following the military coup in the neighbouring country in February 2021.
Considering their demographic spread in the region, both Naga and Mizo communities may have a valid point in wanting to live in a common administrative area. But this is easier said than done considering the geo-political and security situations.
"If Nagas and Mizos have a history, others like Meiteis and Assamese and people of Arunachal Pradesh also have theirs," - is a refrain often placed on the table these days.
Quoting management guru Shiv Khera, Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio said in February, "Freedom is not free... you are free only within the rules".
Many Naga inhabitants say even their Agricultural land is in the Myanmar area where they go during farming. "All these issues ought to be discussed and understood well," said head GB of Longwa, Wangnei Konyak when I visited Longwa in February.
Last month PM Narendra Modi's trusted National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval met his Myanmarese counterpart Admiral Moe Aung and is understood to have conveyed New Delhi's concerns over the impact of violence and instability in Myanmar on its border with India.
Doval was in Myanmarese capital Naypyidaw to attend a meeting of security chiefs of member nations of BIMSTEC grouping.
Adding more complexities to the already existing challenges, following renewed fighting, at least 1,500 more people from Myanmar have taken refuge in Mizoram a few days back.
There were fierce battles between the Myanmar Army and the alliance of three ethnic insurgent groups, including the Chin National Army (CAN) in Chin and Rakhine State, reports said.
ends
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